CPC B64C 9/24 (2013.01) [B64C 11/02 (2013.01); B64C 11/20 (2013.01)] | 19 Claims |
1. An aircraft wing and propulsion system comprising:
a leading-edge device positioned at the leading edge of an aircraft wing, the leading-edge device comprising a moveable slat affixed to a main body of the aircraft wing with an extension mechanism such that the moveable slat is translatable between a closed position abutting a main body of the aircraft wing and an open position extended from the main body of the aircraft wing to form a gap between the moveable slat and the main body of the aircraft wing, where the movable slat comprises an aerodynamically profiled leading face and at least a partially open interior forming a propulsor enclosure; and
one or more propulsors affixed to the main body of the aircraft wing, where at least a portion of each propulsor extends beyond the main body of the aircraft wing such that the portion of the propulsor is stowed within the propulsor enclosure of the moveable slat of the leading-edge device when the movable slat is in the closed position,
wherein each propulsor comprises a propeller having blades and a motor to rotate the propeller, the propeller stowed within the propulsor enclosure of the moveable slat of the leading-edge device when the movable slat is in the closed position and the propeller is positioned in the gap formed between the moveable slat and the main body of the aircraft wing when the movable slat is in the open position.
|